“Well, he wouldn’t be drinking himself to death and carrying on like this had I not been in the picture.”
“David, you don’t know that,” I told him. “It would’ve been some other thing, some other issue… Daniel loves control.”
Silence ensued before he stated, “I’ll take you home.”
“I’m not going back there now. He needs to cool off,” I said.
“I’ll take you wherever else you’d like to be then,” he said, in between applying pressure to his bruised lip. “Man that hurt,” he said beneath his breath.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I stated, fighting the urge to reach out and touch his face. “I’m losing track of the number of times he’s swung at you.”
“Yep, well…” David said. “I need to make myself scarce. He’s not planning on going easy on me anytime soon.”
“True,” I acknowledged, meeting his hand and offering to hold the ice over his lip. His fingers were ice cold.
“I can manage,” he said, though he didn’t knock my hand away.
“I know you can,” I replied. “I’m just letting you know I’m here for you too.”
He sighed in response, before saying “I’ll be alright,” and taking the ice away from his lip.
Craig returned. “We’re going to have to shut this down mate, I’ve tried to smooth things over but the manager’s not happy.”
“Understandable,” David replied. “How is he?”
Avoiding eye contact with me, Craig stated, “He’s out back, having a bit of a chuck up. Johnny’s not much help, the pair of them are a disaster waiting to happen.”
“What a surprise,” I stated, disappointed.
“Sorry matey,” Craig stated, embracing me. “We’ll have a little get together on your actual birthday. No drama allowed. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thanks Craig,” David replied on my behalf.
“You alright?” Craig asked, motioning towards the slightly swollen lip.
“I’ll be alright,” David replied.
“Good,” Craig said. “Well, I’ll shut this party down, and we can get on with the night.”
“Okay,” David said. “I’ll make sure she gets home okay.”
“Great,” Craig said, squeezing me gently on the shoulder.
Catching my eye, David advised, “I know my place is small, but I can cook up a meal for you there and you can kick back for a little while before heading back home.”
“Sounds good,” I concurred.
“Sounds like a plan?” he asked.
“Sure thing. Though the way I feel, I’m not interested in heading back home at all. Not for a while anyway.”
“Well, whatever you want to do is alright by me,” he declared.
David’s one bedroom studio was very minimalist in nature. Cushions on the floor in place of a sofa, and a shikibuton in the middle of the room reminded me of his nature. Calm, simple and uncomplicated.
“Any requests?” he asked, sorting through a sleeve of CDs. “How about some Dru Hill?”
Haven’t heard Dru Hill in ages! I thought to myself. “Dru Hill sounds great,” I replied flatly, not wanting to let him in on my excitement. He knew me too well.
“Dru Hill it is then,” he said, picking up on my curtness, and suddenly becoming nervous. “I’ll just go prepare something for you to eat,” he said. “Make yourself at home.”
He came back moments later with a grape spritzer. “I’ve made up some lentil pasties, as you know I’m a vegan, so unfortunately I can’t offer you anything else right now.”
“That’s fine, David. It’s enough that you’re offering,” I told him. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious.”
He nodded in response before setting the bottle of grape spritzer on the table and setting two glasses next to each other on the coffee table. His hands shook as he did.
“David, no need to get all nervous,” I stated, partly laughing at his sudden shyness.
He stared at me somewhat relieved. “I don’t know what just took over me…having you here has sort of brought back memories of me trying to get you to be with me, back in the day.”
“I figured that,” I said. “I won’t bite,” I told him.
“I wish you would,” he joked, a little more at ease as he poured the spritzer into our glasses. He handed me a glass and sat next to me on the floor. “Cheers,” he said, raising his glass for a toast.
“Cheers,” I replied.
“To better days ahead for both of us,” he declared.
After a few sips I set my glass down on the coffee table. “So, you came all this way to connect with your brother, and to get me to fall for you again. Things didn’t work out as planned, so what next?”
“There’s still a chance,” he said. “Obviously at some stage I’m going to have to accept things may not change, but I’m not there yet.”
“David, I want you to be happy. Knowing that you spent all these years longing after me makes me feel sad – you may be missing out on meeting the love of your life,” I told him.
“I’m not missing out on anyone else,” he stated. “I know in my heart that I’m not. You’re here. You’re the love of my life,” he stated. “You’re the only one I’m missing out on at the moment. If I can’t have you, I’ll just have to find a way to be without you. Alone.”
I searched his eyes for reason, and found only love, resolve and determination.
“I admire Daniel,” he said. “I wish I had his balls and his courage. I would have made you mine long ago if I had,” he imagined.
I smiled in response, but advised, “Don’t admire Daniel too much. He hasn’t been the best role model of late.”
“Yeah, well…” David started. “He’s gonna have to fix up before your babies get here.”
I nodded in reply. Switching topic, I requested, “Tell me more about you Doctor Davenport. I hardly know much else apart from the fact that you’re crazy in love with me.”
He smiled. “Apart from you, I’m all work. Med school and dentistry was my ticket out of a bad life,” he stated stoically. “I had nothing else at the time, it gave me a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose. I’m not like Daniel, in the sense that he’s always felt God was with him and on his side.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Don’t you believe in God?” I thought he did.
“I do believe in God,” he confirmed. “I just wonder where He was at those moments in my life where I felt like what I was going through was too much to bear.”
Embracing him, I stated, “He was watching over you then, and He’s watching over you today. When you wondered where He was, He carried you. I know that for a fact. I’ve been there.”
He nodded his head in agreement, though he seemed unsure. “Those were some tough times,” he said. I beckoned him to say more, but he didn’t. “There are some things I don’t need you to know,” he explained.
Fair enough, I thought. I knew he would tell me all in time. Just not tonight. Switching topic, I asked, “How are you liking Texas, you think you’ll move here permanently?”
He half smiled. “I’m loving the fact that you’re here, but I’m missing Aus. Getting a little tired of Daniel cussing me out and disrespecting me in public,” he said.
“Don’t blame you,” I replied. “I just hope he fixes up before the babies are here.”
“My thoughts exactly,” David stated, getting up to check the pies he’d made.
The pies were delectable. I should have known that his preparing my meal was another way of him trying to woo me, despite his insistence to the contrary.
“I have a gift that I wanted to give you earlier on tonight, but thought I’d give it to you when I got you alone.” He reached for my hand and placed a small red box in it. I hesitated for a moment, and he explained, “An early birthday gift. Open it please.”
I opened the box to reveal a jewelled crucifix in gold with embedded pink diamonds. It was a beautiful gift.
The folded
note within the box read as follows:
Teme,
Always keep the faith and keep believing and inspiring others. You’ve been an inspiration to me in more ways than one, and have encouraged me to reach for the stars in everything I do. I give you the gift of my time and attention, my money and resources, my power and influence, and finally, my love and affection. I know it’s a long shot, but I’ll give you what you ask for and take whatever you’ll give. I feel blessed all the same to be in your life, as your friend. Please call on me when you need me (or any of the above). I will move mountains to be there for you.
Always,
David x.
“Thank you David,” I said. Such a brazen declaration of love. I paused for a moment before getting him his gift. “I have something for you as well,” I told him, reaching into my handbag. “I couldn’t get out much as you know, so I made you this.” I presented him with a handwoven friendship bracelet. “Your wrist please,” I requested, sliding the bracelet on. The deep brown hue of the bracelet complemented his tanned skin. I’d also gotten him a surf watch, so slipped this on as well.
He smiled widely. “Thank you, Temwani. I’m touched,” he said, his eyes a little teary.
“You sure you like it?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Excuse the watery eyes. I’m just touched that you cared enough to get me something.”
“Of course I do,” I told him.
Examining the watch from every angle, he asked, “Is this one of those ones with a pre-programmed tide chart?”
“Yes, that and then some. Tide height and direction, moon phase…”
“So freakin’ awesome,” he said, clearly excited. “Thank you Teme, you’ve made my day.”
“And you mine,” I told him. As he beheld my gaze, a moment of awkward silence ensued before he reached for my hand and held it. “I can see you’re exhausted. How about you get some sleep, and I can take you home in a few hours?”
I nodded in agreement. It was late, and I was beyond exhausted. He swiftly directed me to his bed, where I fell asleep to his eye gazing and the weight of his hand on mine as he knelt on the floor by the edge of the bed. Yet another moment I would remember forever, another moment which I wished would last a lifetime.
The promised get together on my birthday came in the form of a barbecue at Craig’s place. Daniel wasn’t invited, nor was Johnny. They both kept their distance, respectfully, given how out of hand Daniel’s behaviour was at the previous get together.
Jonah greeted me with a firm handshake and a warm smile. His chiseled face and pure handsomeness made his hello all the more disarming. I could see why the other women were swooning over him, but something I couldn’t put my finger on told me that there was more to him than met the eye - he was anything but gentle - he was capable of doing great harm. I hadn’t had the chance to meet with him properly the night of the attempted birthday celebration. He’d been busy manhandling Daniel and getting him to cooperate.
“So I see you’ve met our resident muscle!” David exclaimed.
Jonah raised an eyebrow in response to David’s comment and turned towards me. “Well, I’ve finally met our resident beauty,” he said, in a way that was both charming and disarming.
David looked from Jonah to me and from me to Jonah. “Yep, she is beautiful isn’t she,” he acknowledged. “Now keep your eyes on the barbie mate.”
“Yep,” Jonah replied. “Wouldn’t want to get those prawns on the barbie overdone now would we.”
I peered over and into the barbecue grill. Jonah nudged me unexpectedly. “Just steak and sausages, no shrimp or prawn as the Aussies call it.” I stared back at him blankly and he laughed heartily. “Inside joke.”
“Yeah,” David replied. “I forgot to laugh.”
“Love you man,” Jonah said with a candor that surprised me.
“Love you too bro,” David replied with equal candor. It was heartwarming seeing the way they were. Like brothers. Such a shame Daniel and David were at constant odds with each other.
Jonah smirked in response. “So you say, so you say.” Turning to me, he asked, “So, can I get you something to drink? A champagne…”
“Nothing alcoholic for me,” I replied.
“Hey, you can see she’s with child, can’t you?” David scolded him.
“I can see that, yes, but I know not all women do the right thing when pregnant, now, do they,” Jonah said, flipping over a steak. “But I now know she does,” he said as a matter of factly.
“I’ll get you something to drink,” David said quickly, wanting to avoid the topic. “Won’t be a tick.”
“Won’t be too long,” Jonah translated. “I guess you’re getting used to the Aussie lingo now, right?” he asked, turning to me.
“Somewhat,” I said, considering what I’d heard earlier about him. He was enforcer for the Brotherhood.
“You judge me,” he stated abruptly.
“Sorry?”
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” he warned.
“I don’t and I won’t,” I replied. “I try to go on my instinct, but it’s been a bit off of late.”
“We are all on the same side,” he stated. “I would consider us all to be guardians of all that is good. We just have a different way of doing it.”
“I guess so,” was my reply.
David joined us again. “Doing what?” he asked abruptly, handing me a lemon flavoured mineral water.
“Preserving all that’s good in this world,” Jonah said. I could tell by David’s reaction that he was pretty thrown.
“None of that talk any more Jonah, we’re here to have a good time,” he reminded him.
“I’m sure she understands me,” he said in response. “I’m surprised you haven’t…”
“Like I said, none of that talk now,” David said firmly.
“Okay,” Jonah replied. Switching topic, he asked, “How many weeks are you now?” he asked referring to my pregnancy. “What are you craving?”
Surprised by his forwardness, I smiled and replied, “30 weeks now.” Sneaking a glance at David, I added, “Sticky date pudding, grapes, guava and hot dogs with a lot of pickled relish.”
David gave me a knowing wink, while Jonah smiled warmly. “International palate I see. A bit of Aus, a bit of America, a bit of Zambia. Looking at David suspiciously, he added, “I’m guessing Aus is a pretty heavy influence, but I can help you with America.”
Stepping in, David stated, “Alright American boy, that’s enough flirting to last you a lifetime.”
I giggled in response, and David gave me a gentle poke in the side, as though to remind me of something.
“Yeah, yeah,” Jonah replied. “Your husband’s one lucky man,” he concluded. “If only I should be so lucky,” he stated.
“If only we all should be so lucky,” David concurred.
“Well, I can always hook the both of you up,” I offered.
“Him yes, me no,” David replied. “You know I’ve only got eyes for one woman,” he reminded me.
“You’re in need of a hookup the most,” I reminded him. “Daniel’s not going anywhere.”
David swallowed hard before he spoke. “That may be the case, but I need you the most,” he replied.
I sighed in response. There was no convincing him otherwise.
“Dangerous games,” Jonah warned, gazing from me to David and from David to me. “It’ll all end in tears,” he predicted. Motioning towards the barbeque, he announced, “These are done. Can I get you that hotdog you’ve been craving?”
“You sure can,” I said. David stepped forward and rolled up his sleeves to help. Washing his hands in the basin, he shook them off dry. He then handed Jonah a plate. Jonah piled on a hotdog and a lot of relish. A lot. Just the way I liked it. Handing it to me, he nearly dropped the plate when his eyes drifted and fixed on someone in the distance. Shania.
“Watch it mate,” David warned, taking the plate from Jonah before noticing what Jonah
had noticed. Shania who wore an emerald green swing dress which dipped into her cleavage, was making her way over to us. David gave Jonah a playful slap on the back and stated, “Here comes the hookup.” I rolled my eyes at his statement but thought that a pairing between Shania and Jonah might just work. For a time anyhow. Apart from his disarming nature, Jonah seemed to be genuine. If anything, they would be honest with each other about how they would relate.
“Shania,” David greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. She greeted me the same, and threw in a hug, causing me to drop my hotdog.
“I’ll get that,” David and Jonah said in unison.
Shania’s eyes flittered to Jonah immediately. She gave him a wide smile which he noticed but tried to ignore, preferring to act composed. I could tell he wanted to smile back. Nervously, he picked up my plate while David swiftly moved to prepare me another hot dog.
She sensed his hesitancy. “I’m Shania,” she said, hand outstretched.
He quickly took her hand and shook it with such vigour that his glasses nearly fell off his face. He adjusted appropriately before making his introduction. “Jonah.”
“Pleased to meet you Jonah,” she replied. I could tell she was smitten.
“The pleasure is all yours,” he stated, confidently. David and I exchanged a knowing glance while I tried my hardest not to laugh. The pleasure is all yours? How bold.
“You here alone?” Shania asked, a little too direct for my liking, but not so for Jonah.
“You’re here with me now, aren’t you?” he replied.
“Let’s go find you a chair,” David said, in a cue for me to leave with him and leave the two of them alone. I could tell straight away that they would hit it off.
A self-assured, beautiful redhead by the name of Claudette appeared midway through the barbeque. In a silk green top, lycra tights and high heels, she was dressed to impress.
Greeting us all with a kiss on either cheek, she announced “Austin’s finest is out to play, huh? Might just have to go get me some,” she said, scoring the men of the Brotherhood, all of whom were otherwise engaged or occupied at the moment.
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